Final Preparations underway: Canada Faces Austria Before Stockholm Showdown

as the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship in Stockholm approaches, Team Canada is putting the final touches on its planning. A key part of this process is a highly anticipated test match against Austria in Vienna. This game, scheduled for Sunday evening, serves as a crucial prospect for the Canadians to fine-tune their strategies and assess their roster before the tournament officially begins.

Last year, the Canadians also visited Vienna, securing a decisive 5-1 victory. However,the Austrian team is hoping to leverage home-ice advantage and deliver a more competitive performance this time around. The upcoming match also serves as a rematch before they meet again at the World Championship on May 15th.

Dobson’s Austrian Roots: A Stepping Stone to NHL Stardom

among the Canadian players is Noah Dobson, a defenseman for the New York Islanders, who has a unique connection to Austria. In 2015, at the age of 15, Dobson left his home to join the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy in Salzburg, where he played for both the U18 and U20 teams.

Dobson recalls how the move came about: I was looking for a club because I wanted to go away from home. Brian Savage and Pierre Page contact me and my agent. Savage, then a coach for the youth teams, and Page, the Head of the Academy, were actively scouting North American talent.

Reflecting on his time in Salzburg, Dobson emphasizes its significance in his progress. I thoght it was great, Red Bull is great. The facilities in the academy are great. I got to know parts of Europe at a young age and played ice hockey here. He credits the experience with fostering his maturity both on and off the ice, stating, It was an important point in my development as an ice hockey player and really helped me become the player I am today.

Dobson’s former teammates at the academy included current national players Paul Huber, Paul Stapelfeldt, and Nico Feldner, and also Slovakian player Martin Pospisil, who is now with the Calgary Flames. In the 2023/24 NHL season, Dobson achieved a career-best 70 points.

Team Building and Adapting to the European game

Beyond the on-ice preparations, Team Canada is also focusing on team building and acclimating to the nuances of European ice hockey. Dobson notes, Vienna is a beautiful city, we run some team building, get to know each other away from the ice, go dinner together. Activities like golf outings are also part of the team’s bonding process.

He also acknowledges the differences between the NHL and European ice hockey, particularly the larger ice surface. You have to run more, have more time with the puck. European teams also tend to play differently. But it is fun to gain this experience and improve your game.

Eyes on the Prize: Canada’s Quest for Gold

Despite the challenges, Dobson and his teammates are steadfast to represent their country with pride and compete for the ultimate prize.

We are all proud to wear the colors of our country.Whenever we get the chance, it is a great honor. You want to represent your country well and of course the goal is always to win the gold medal.

Noah Dobson

While the World Championship may not hold the same prestige as the Stanley Cup in North America, the players recognize the honor of representing their nation and are committed to giving their best effort.The journey to gold begins with the test against Austria and continues throughout the tournament in Stockholm.